I have never been able to make up my mind whether to concentrate on art, writing or natural history. I usually concentrate on one of the three for a while, then concentrate on another of the three. Art, writing and natural history are intwined in my life and often involve teaching a combination of these subjects.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The North Wind Doth Blow, February 17, 2014

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) Photo by Tom Persing

The North Wind Doth Blow

The north wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then,
Poor thing?

He'll sit in a barn,
And keep himself warm,
And hide his head under his wing,
Poor thing.

Anonymous

Juncos are snowy weather birds. In this part of Ohio we see them only in winter. They come to our ground feeder.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Photo by Tom Persing

Northern Cardinals are here all year. This is a male. The females are grayish or brownish, tinged with red on their crest, breast, wings, and tails. Tom took this from our dining room window. The bird was on the far side of our back yard. Once again, his new camera with the image stabilization did the trick.

Northern Cardinal, Photo by Tom Persing

These photos were taken late in the afternoon. The temperature was 29 degrees, Fahrenheit (-1.7 Celsius). A few minutes earlier rain was pouring down. It left trees and birdfeeders and eaves of houses trimmed with icicles.

About Me

I have been interested in art, writing and natural history since childhood.
After leaving elementary school teaching, I took a part-time job teaching drawing to children. That turned out to be a part-time job for the next twenty years. It was one of the most enjoyable jobs I have ever had.
During the same time I was a part-time educator for a local nature center and then an environmental educator for the county parks. When I am with children or adults in the woods or prairies or streams, I am sure there is nothing I could be doing that would make me happier. Throughout my teaching career, I have learned as much as I have taught. Along the way I have written articles and short stories and painted a lot of watercolors. Writing helps me understand myself and my world. Painting is pure pleasure.